Page 74 of Holden

“So, has Dante gotten back to you yet?” he asked Mac.

The two of them had flown to Phoenix to visit with their former D-Force brother, who’d left the military a year after the guys had started ESI. Losing his wife had kept him in a state of mind that had hindered any kind of moving on.

Holden knew this town was the best place to help his buddy with that journey.

They talked and laughed about a few of their missions with the guy and how he always had a knack for forecasting the weather. He was like a human barometer.

They always asked him for a reading from theDanterometer.

Holden sobered as he recalled how drastically different his friend was now, and was eager to see him find the balance that Holden had in Texas.

“Hey, penny for them,” Emily said, sauntering close and sliding an arm around his back.

He tossed his garbage in a nearby can so he could set both of his hands on her hips and pull her in nice and close. “Do you really not know what I’m thinking?”

She snickered and slid her arms around his neck and rocked against the part of his body that was her biggest fan. “That you want more cake?”

He laughed. “Not even close.” He dipped down close to her ear and lowered his voice. “Unless I can smear some on you later.”

She shuddered against him. “Can you guess my answer?”

“Mhm…” He kissed her neck. “I believe I can.”

“Good.” She inhaled and tightened her hold on him. “Any chance we can shut off the backyard cameras and get naked?”

The heat simmering in his body spiked and crackled to life. “Yes.”

Ever since he’d told her about that option, they enjoyed many nights out under the stars, and just because the weather turned cold, his nature girl hadn’t stopped desiring outdoor…sessions.

“I built something special for you out there.”

She gasped and drew back to meet his gaze with excitement and anticipation gleaming in her eyes. “The fire pit? The fire pit came today?”

He nodded and watched her excitement turn to a deep yearning that had his erection shooting straight to full blown.

There’d been just enough time to sneak home with Sinjin and Hunter to install it before meeting her here tonight because she came straight from work.

Lowering his head, he hid a smile as he brushed his lips over her jaw to the spot behind her ear that drove her mad. “And, babe, that isn’t the only thing coming today.”

Her inhale rustled near his ear, and he smiled.

Life was good. Life was balanced.

Not only was Holden set to manage a sanctuary, he washoldingone—Emily washissanctuary.